Her debut EP Lights was released in July 2008 and achieved commercial success which enabled the release of her first full-length album, The Listening, on September 22, 2009. Her second album, Siberia, was released on October 4, 2011. Both albums have been certified gold in Canada. Lights released her third studio album, Little Machines, on September 19, 2014, which debuted on the Canadian Albums Chart at number five. Her fourth album, Skin&Earth, which featured "Giants", was released in September 2017, accompanied by a graphic novel of the same name. Her albums won the Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year in 2015 and 2018.
Lights has collaborated with artists including Bring Me the Horizon, Silverstein, Deadmau5, Felix Cartal, i_o, Owl City and Sleepy Tom. Lights signed with Fueled by Ramen in 2019 and released Skin&Earth Acoustic, which included three new songs.
I Owe You One
Lights Lyrics
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?Cause I don't know the words to thank you properly
You pulled me from the grave and stood me on a hill
And when I was afraid you made me still
For the love you bring, owe you everything
For the breath you give, you're my cause to live
For everything under the sun, I owe you one
Chaos all around, explosions and fire
You took me off the ground and lifted me higher
When trouble knew my name, that was before you
Now I?ll never be the same, now that I know you
For the love you bring, owe you everything
For the breath you give, you're my cause to live
For the love you bring, owe you everything
For the breath you give, you're my cause to live
For everything under the sun, I owe you one
Oh, oh
For the love you bring, owe you everything
For the breath you give, you're my cause to live
For the love you bring, owe you everything
For the breath you give, you're my cause live
For everything under the sun, I owe you one
In this song, Lights expresses her gratitude towards someone who has made a significant positive impact on her life. She starts off by saying that what this person has done for her is beyond her ability to put into words. This individual has pulled her out of a dark place, as she refers to being in a grave and then being placed on a hill which represents being elevated and seeing things from a better perspective. This person has also helped her to overcome her fears and find peace, which is represented by the phrase "when I was afraid, you made me still."
Later on in the song, Lights describes a chaotic and dangerous situation she was once in, perhaps a metaphor for a difficult time in her life. But the person she is grateful to was able to lift her up, both figuratively and potentially even literally, and help her to escape that situation. She acknowledges that before this person entered her life, she was troubled and perhaps lost, but now that she knows them, she is forever changed.
The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that she owes this person everything and she is willing to do whatever it takes to show her gratitude. In saying "for everything under the sun, I owe you one," Lights suggests that there is nothing this person has done for her that she will not be able to repay in some way. The song ultimately communicates the idea that when someone does something truly meaningful and impactful for us, it can be hard to put into words just how much we appreciate it.
Line by Line Meaning
What you've given me is more than I can say
You have given me so much that I cannot express my gratitude sufficiently.
?Cause I don't know the words to thank you properly
I am unable to convey my appreciation in an appropriate manner because of the overwhelming nature of your kindness.
You pulled me from the grave and stood me on a hill
You rescued me from a perilous situation and elevated me to a position of security and strength.
And when I was afraid you made me still
During times of distress, you granted me peace and tranquility.
For the love you bring, owe you everything
Your love has impacted me so significantly that I am indebted to you completely.
For the breath you give, you're my cause to live
You are the reason I exist and continue to flourish.
For everything under the sun, I owe you one
My gratitude towards you encompasses everything in the world, and I can never repay you completely.
Chaos all around, explosions and fire
I was surrounded by tumultuous events that threatened to consume me.
You took me off the ground and lifted me higher
You rescued me from danger and elevated me to a place of safety and success.
When trouble knew my name, that was before you
I experienced difficulties in life before I knew you, but they have been rendered insignificant through your presence.
Now I?ll never be the same, now that I know you
Your influence has transformed me permanently for the better, and I can never go back to who I was before.
Oh, oh
A vocalization expressing intense emotion and feelings of gratitude.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VALERIE POXLEITNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind